Touched by an Alien by Gini Koch

Title: Touched by an Alien
Author: Gini Koch
Format: book

Oh me, oh my. Where do I start? Let's start with the title. I've heard cheesy titles before, and sometimes you just gotta snort and giggle at the alteration because it's so ridiculously corny. Simply reading the phrase "touched by an alien" is bound to make anyone laugh and give you a weird face. But that's not all the title did for me. It caught my interest and made me pull the book off the shelf.

Which brings me to another fantastic point: the cover. There are boring covers, there are plain covers, there are bad covers, there are good covers, and there are awesome covers. TBAA has an awesome cover. It speaks of all the major elements in the book: actions, romance, and aliens. I'm pretty sure I stared at the cover for a good ten minutes admiring the detail and blend of elements. And drooling over the guy -- who is a lovely rendition of main male character Jeff Martini. 

Of course, we all know a pretty cover and funny title isn't all there is to a book. It's the actual content that's worth it. I first took TBAA for a test run using Google Preview. Right from the get-go I was hooked. Being introduced to one of Kitty's crazy methods of improvisation had me laughing right away. I mean, seriously, a PEN? A darn good pen, but still -- a pen. If you're gonna make an impression, a pen is the way to go. 

After reading a couple chapters on Google Preview, I knew I had to get the whole thing. I couldn't stand to be teased with missing chapters and important content. I'm very glad I did. TBAA is full of snarky humor, romance, humor, tension, action, and ingenuity. Or maybe it's just craziness. Either way, it's very hard to find a slow moment in this book. It just keeps going and going like the Energizer Bunny, sliding from one event to another. 

While the content relies a lot on dialogue and not so much on physical description of the surroundings, that doesn't detract from the story. I had very little problem imagining scenes as they played out, because each character had personality in their words. Some books that rely heavily on dialogue can sometimes slip in this category, but TBAA does a good job of keeping the reader hooked and connected to the story and characters. 

This especially comes into play as Kitty interacts with her number one man: Jeff Martini. Let me just say every girl needs a Martini in her life. He's strong, he loyal, he understands, he's funny, he's protective, and he's a 20 out of 10 in bed. Beat that. 

The chemistry between Martini and Kitty is positively electrifying. You can't leave either of them alone. It's fun to see how they interact, and it's not hard to be emotionally pulled when tension rises high between them during critical parts of the story. 

Let me also add I love Reader. If every girl needs a Martini as a lover, she also needs a Reader as a BFF. He understands in a different way and creates a lovable relationship with Kitty that makes you want to snuggle the hell out of the guy and spend time with him on a normal afternoon. I wish I could name all the things that make Reader special but I'd probably run out of space. 

In any case, the characters all have a complex bond that grows and knits together a net of loyalty and love as the story progresses along. 

Speaking of story, TBAA had various elements of surprise that I found rather intriguing. The theories behind the actions of the enemies, and Kitty's conclusions as she conquers the challenges she's faced with, put a unique spin on old classics. Let me just say that the pen isn't the end of her ingenuity or creativeness. Kitty kicks ass in ways that make you go "What, no way!" and laugh at how well it works at kicking evil to the curb. 

If you're a fan of sci-fi movies like "District 9" or "Mars Attacks," this book will probably be right up your alley. Likewise, if you are a fan of comic books and like to geek out from time to time (or all the time), some of the references here will pull you right in. 

I greatly enjoyed reading this book. I'm planning on seeking out the sequel. There's no doubt I'll read it again and again somewhere down the road. :)

Overall: 5 out of 5

5 questions book meme (JFF)

This is another meme about books. I like to share them since they pertain a lot to the content of this blog. :)

1) If you could read one book again for the first time what would it be? 

A Companion to Wolves by Sarah Monette & Elizabeth Bear. I greatly enjoyed reading this book the first time around. I admit, the names confused me, but after I got the hang of it, I enjoyed the world that Monette and Bear had created, and the character tension. The fact that it also hearkens to Norse roots is a bonus point too. 

2) Do you finish every book you start or do you abandon without reservation?

I don't like abandoning books, but sometimes I just can't get myself to finish. And I'm not talking about putting a book on hiatus because I don't have the time to read it. I mean I drop it and never return. It's a shame, but if I can't get myself to appreciate the world that the author has created, or something about the characters just bugs me, I can't force myself to slug through it. I will be as fair as I can while reviewing it, though. I won't slander a book just because I couldn't finish it; I'll be honest when I say it just didn't work for me.

3) Would you rather survive the zombie apocalypse or an alien invasion?

That's hard. I'm a big fan of zombies, but aliens are sexy too. My badass side says there's nothing like kicking zombie butt to make you feel good. My perverted side says bring on the probes and cow abductions, it's a thrill a minute. If I can have a partner in crime to survive with me, I'll go for zombies. Yeah.

4) What book are you most looking forward to in 2012?

Tricked by Kevin Hearne. I love the Iron Druid series to pieces. I can't remember how I first got into it, but I'm so glad I did. I'm looking forward to see what sort of trouble Atticus is going to get himself into, and how he'll do it. And if we'll get to see his naked butt again this time around. (I know, I know, I'm naughty. I like fantasizing about a hot Irish boy streaking in public as he goes around slaying things with his sword. And I do mean his sword.)

5) What book to do you wish you had never read?

Oh boy. I'm not sure. I guess for this year, that will have to land with Demons Are a Girl's Best Friend by Linda Wisdom. Unfortunately, I was disappointed with the execution in this book. I suppose I had high expectations for a best seller, which made the gravity of my opinion that much heavier. I won't say it's the worst book of all time, or the worst book I've ever read. I just can't think of any particular books that I wish to wipe from my memory right now. Maybe I wiped them already. So it's a little unfair to say this book is that terrible. It just didn't appeal to me. 

5 Books Meme (JFF)

This is a books meme someone showed me. I thought I would share it, since it's fun. 

Directions:
1. Take five books off your bookshelf.
2. Book #1 -- first sentence
3. Book #2 -- last sentence on page fifty
4. Book #3 -- second sentence on page one hundred
5. Book #4 -- next to the last sentence on page one hundred fifty
6. Book #5 -- final sentence of the book
7. Make the five sentences into a paragraph.
8. Feel free to "cheat" to make a better paragraph
9. Name your sources

This is my answer. I used the books that I had lying around next to my bed instead of actually going through my shelf.

Book #1 -- first sentence
Arlen paused in his work, looking up at the lavender wash of the dawn sky.

Book #2 -- last sentence on page fifty
"Not here, Elena. Show me to your rooms."

Book #3 -- second sentence on page one hundred
Corvis laughed hysterically, choking on the soil, and flipped over like a landed fish.

Book #4 -- next to the last sentence on page one hundred fifty
He saw an image of that same man's deformed face that was so clear he could have drawn it.

Book #5 -- final sentence of the book
Later, they drank sweet berry wine and ate sandwiches out of their picnic basket, watching the water lap gently at the shore in front of their home.

Make the five sentences into a paragraph.
Arlen paused in his work, looking up at the lavender wash of the dawn sky. "Not here, Elena. Show me to your rooms." Corvis laughed hysterically, choking on the soil, and flipped over like a landed fish. He saw an image of that same man's deformed face that was so clear he could have drawn it. Later, they drank sweet berry wine and ate sandwiches out of their picnic basket, watching the water lap gently at the shore in front of their home.

Feel free to "cheat" to make a better paragraph
Corvis laughed hysterically, choking on the soil, and flipped over like a landed fish. Arlen paused in his work, looking up at the lavender wash of the dawn sky. He saw an image of that same man's deformed face that was so clear he could have drawn it. 

"Not here, Elena. Show me to your rooms." 

Later, they drank sweet berry wine and ate sandwiches out of their picnic basket, watching the water lap gently at the shore in front of their home.

Name your sources
The Warded Man - Peter V. Brett
Angel's Blood - Nalini Singh
The Conqueror's Shadow - Ari Marmell
Born to Darkness - Suzanne Brockmann
Fate's Edge - Ilona Andrews

Demons Are a Girl's Best Friend by Linda Wisdom

Title: Demons Are a Girl's Best Friend
Author: Linda Wisdom
Format: book


I have to be honest. I abandoned this book without properly finishing it. I found it difficult to do so, despite my great dislike for doing that to a book. I like to finish reading things, even if they are disappointing. Unfortunately, I couldn't get myself to do that here.

While the premise of the book was interesting enough to begin with, I found the execution rather lacking. The idea of Maggie being an magical officer, working with other magic users or supernatural creatures was interesting. It was like looking at Men In Black, only without the aliens. However, that's about as far as the interest goes.

Dialogue between characters seemed very stunted and forced. I imagine that seeing the characters talk visually on a movie screen would have made up for the lack of description, but since this is a book, and I have only my imagination to work with, I could not work off so few cues that were given. I couldn't tell by dialogue alone if a character was particularly mad or happy or being sarcastic or sad.

While this can be excusable among minor characters, this should not be the case for the main characters. Unfortunately, the problem encompassed everyone. It became especially apparent when Maggie conversed with Declan.

Generally speaking, it is possible to see why a character is attracted to another. Though as a reader we might not agree with the attractiveness of said character, we can understand why they are liked. I could not see this in Declan. Declan seemed to lack proper depth and personality to make me believe Maggie was attracted to him. As a romance novel (or a book that has romance in it, anyway), it should be clear why someone likes someone else. Personality, looks, complexity. Declan lacked that. I couldn't tell where he stood, if he was supposed to be the mysterious type, the playful time, the bad boy, or the mistaken gentleman. Whatever Maggie saw in him, whatever any other female in the book saw in Declan, I did not see.

On another note, there are parts in the book that are a little peculiar. I applaud Wisdom for stretching out her hand in the creativity jar, but once again I find the execution to be somewhat lacking. I'm talking about the dream stalking, when Maggie enters Declan's dreams and they go do stuff and talk. The drop into those scenes were often very sudden, and I'm not sure of their importance.

Maybe I needed to continue reading to the end, to understand why she was able to do that, or why he called on her, but I could not see the significance of the matter. Why was it so important these scenes took place? Why couldn't their interaction be different, on a more normal plane? I don't know, but the whole idea threw me off.

It's unfortunate, but there were just too many issues I found with the story and characters that I could not get myself to continue with it. I did not feel overly compelled to pick the book back up and slug through more of its pages. I hope that Wisdom's other books aren't all like this. For now, I'll look elsewhere for more stimulating witch romance.

Overall: 2 out of 5

Clan Rathskeller by Kevin Hearne

Title: Clan Rathskeller
Author: Kevin Hearne
Format: ebook; short story (link)

Oh, Atticus. There is nothing like a little short story to remind us of what makes you so hilarious and awesome. For anyone familiar with The Iron Druid Chronicles but not quite familiar with this story, Clan Rathskeller takes place ten months prior to the first book (Hounded). We see Atticus in Tempe, just strolling through a mall with his witty sidekick, Oberon, when he runs into trouble.

Well that's not new. Attitucs has a trouble magnet strong enough to would make the North/South Poles jealous. It's how he gets himself out of trouble that makes him such an entertainment to read about. Atticus never fails to make a reader laugh, or want to slap a hand over their face and cry "Oi!" This adventure is no exclusion.

This short story delivers a hard punch in the guy that has us tearing up right away, and it's not from pain (though some parts might make you wince in embarrassment), but from too much laughter. Now, don't get me wrong, Atticus isn't slap-stick funny. He's witty, sarcastic, and unconventional at times. He finds creative ways to solve problems that get the job done, even if it means he has to be indecent in public along the way.

Oh yes, we get to see Atticus in all his glory, as he works his Druid magic and as he waves his meat and two veggies out in the open air. Who can't laugh at such a scene? There's nothing like a naked man streaking right past your eyes to make you stop and do a shocked double take.

Clan Rathskeller is fast-paced and charged with equal parts action and humor. If you're looking for something to make your day better, this short story will definitely do the trick. If you want to refuel on your Atticus/Oberon loving, this will top you off nicely too. It probably even makes for an excellent "introduction" to the whole Iron Druid series for someone who has never read the books before. There's just enough of all the major elements that make Atticus and Oberon so lovable to let a new reader get a good taste of what the series it like.

Overall: 5 out of 5

Amelié (2001) - movie

Title: Amelié
Director: Jean-Pierre Jeunet
Format: French romance movie
Length: 122 minutes

Ah, Amelié. The first time I watched this was a few years after it came out. I was over at a friend's house, having a little girl get-together. I was too young to really understand what love was about, and the idea of true love seemed like something marketed by Disney only. My ideas of what made love so fantastic and pure were seen from an immature point of view.

The world around us tends to stomp on the idea of there being any such thing as true love, or a pure love at that. This movie, however, brings back that old romantic spark. Amelié hearkens to the dreamer in all of us, the innocent boy or girl who secretly wishes to meet The One and live Happily Ever After. To live out those picturesque days as portrayed in 1950's shows about the perfect husband, and perfect wife, and perfect children and neighborhood.

The character Amelié is a peculiar girl who has grown up with a mother and father who mean well but somehow fail to give her the amount or type of attention she needed. This has made Amelié grow into an even more peculiar woman in her adulthood. She's introverted and finds herself falsely believing her ordinary and routine life is enough. It isn't until she has her first true encounter with love that makes her think differently. But being the strange girl she is, Amelié doesn't have an easy time dealing with the confrontation.

She goes about it in such unconventional methods, you can't help but feel sympathetic -- and maybe empathetic. The movie finds humor in the things she does, and gives small doses of comedy as she trips over small obstacles along the way.

What's special are the times she and her love interest cross ways. You can't help but smile while Amelié jumps hoops to get his attention while at the same time avoiding contact. She puts such effort into her task, it's like seeing any other love-stricken girl on the street. Men and women alike should know what it's like to do more than necessary, to go above and beyond just to catch the eye of that one person.

In society today, we do things by flirting, bar hopping, dates, study groups with hidden intentions, and more. We use modern methods to get into someone's pants -- and into their hearts. Though Amelié's methods aren't quite so conventional these days, her thought process is the same. For anyone who has been in love, I think it would be easy to relate to her, or find some goodhearted humor in the things she does.

This movie can be played any time, anywhere, with virtually anyone. Though there are a few parts that are questionable for younger audiences, even teenagers will enjoy it. I did, when I first saw it. I still enjoy it, even  ten years after production. It's a timeless film that's sure to please anyone.

Overall: 5 out of 5

Better Off Undead by D.D. Barant

Title: Better Off Undead
Author: D.D. Barant
Format: book

So far, we've seen Jace tackle the challenge of going home. She was brought to Thropirelem against her will and employed to find and take down the bad guys. After doing that, she pursued the task of trying to get herself home via hunting down the man responsible for bringing her to Thropirelem in the first place. After having failed that, what's next?

Why, struggling with the challenge to keep her humanity intact while chasing after a mentally unstable man in power. As if a girl doesn't have enough to deal with simply being the only illegal alien on the whole planet. 

Better Off Undead brings a chapter to Jace's life and opens her up to a new question. Her identity. What is she? Who is she? What is her place on Thropirelem? What is her place amongst the people she works with/for? Yes, she's an agent, an employee, an asset and fighter for the greater good -- but what else? When the one thing that makes her unique in NSA gets taken away from her, what is left? 

Jace battles more than just the threat of becoming non-human in this book. Something more personal, more psychological, rears its head as she does her work. And dealing with it isn't easy when her work is just as difficult to handle. 

We haven't seen the last of Tair, or his devilish antics. He's the Joker in the card deck and plays his part well. Jace doesn't get a break while Tair interferes with her personal and professional life. 

I believe that the events in this part of Jace's story are part of a turning point. A new step that sets her up for something greater. Something more complicated than we've seen so far. The shift in character dynamics isn't hard to miss, and it leads me to wonder how things will progress from this point onward. Especially after coming to the end, and witnessing the newest development in Jace's life, I think it's safe to say her life is slipping into another interesting curve. 

So what next? What now? What sort of challenge will she be faced with now? Who knows. But I'm very interested to learn the answer. This feels like it's just the beginning. Just a milestone. There's still much for Jace to do and settle. Her life on Thropirelem has truly just begun.  

Overall: 4.5 out of 5